When the tigers turn up, everyone refocuses on them. They really are the main event.
These metal poles are all the scuba team use to gently redirect them away from the gawping (bubble blowing) tourists and it really is very calm, well mostly.
This shark, we called 'Smiley' has a damaged jaw from a fish hook.
The white looking eye is the nictating membrane that they use to cover their eye when going in for the chomp:)
It can be an impressive photographic snapshot, but unfortunately with enormous stress applied to the animals for tourists to capture on their cameras. It might even be a favorite. like a photo..., it could even be, if it weren't for the means that have to be used to make tourist shows with animals.
@antonios It certainly has its detractors, but these are wild animals that choose to attend and are handled gently. I didn't sense that they were stressed, but who knows. It is a very effective way of showing people that sharks are not mindless killing machines, so perhaps the tradeoff is worthwhile.
@pusspup Thanks for the comment. A delicate and debatable topic. Our ignorance is enormous about what animals feel and even more so in the ocean. There are many centuries of absurd cultural habits. In Latin countries we also have bullfights, and we are in the process of changing these absolutely unnecessary shows.
All shows involving animals only persist if there is a consumer audience and, therefore, we also have a huge responsibility in debating the topic. Posting these photos can help, that's good.
@gosia thanks Gosia. It is the ethos of the people who run it.
Ian
All shows involving animals only persist if there is a consumer audience and, therefore, we also have a huge responsibility in debating the topic. Posting these photos can help, that's good.